Wire-working apparatus

ABSTRACT

Wire-working apparatus including an electric motor machine which draws, i.e., sizes linear stock, such as, rod stock, bar stock, wire stock, etc., as it is advanced or fed to be operated upon intermittedly in a discretely driven fabricating machine, for example, a header or a cut-off machine located a short distance away. The machine for drawing the stock has a reciprocable die which is spring-biased in the nonworking direction and is intermittedly advanced along the stock in the stock working direction by a power-actuated movable member having a predetermined stroke and with respect to which the die is relatively movable, a movable stop for limiting movement of the die in the nonworking direction the position of which stop is changed as a function of the slack in the stock between the two machines, an automatic wire grip assembly at the fabricating machine side of the die, selectively operable power means for rendering the grip assembly inoperative to grip the stock and/or selectively operable power means to prevent return of the die and thus discontinue the advancing of the stock through the die.

United States Patent Mersek et al. 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] WIRE-WORKINGAPPARATUS 3,031,068 4/1962 Ware ..72/290 [72] Inventors' 3; 5333 PrimaryExamir 1erCharles W. Lanham both of Ohio Assistant Exanuner-Michael J.Keenan AttorneyWatts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke [73] Assignee: The AjaxManufacturing Company,

Cleveland, Ohio 57 ABSTRACT Filed! March 20, 1970 Wire-working apparatusincluding an electric motor [21] Appl No; 21,453 machine which draws,i.e., sizes linear stoek, such as, rod stock, bar stock, wire stock,etc., as It IS advanced or fed to be operated upon intermittedly in adiscrete- [52] US. Cl. ..72/285, 72/290, 72/9 1y driven fabricatingmachine, f example a header [51] Iltt. Cl. ..B21c 3/12, 1321b 37/ 12 ora cutoff machine located a Shot-t distance away [58] Field of Search..72/285, 290, 279, 9, l0, 17 The machine for drawing the Stock haS areciprocahle die which is spring-biased in the nonworking directionReferences cued and is intermittedly advanced along the stock in theUNITED STATES PATENTS stock working direction by a power-actuatedmovable member having a predetermined stroke and with OSbOn respect tothe is relatively movable a mova- Stack ble top for movement of the inthe non- Horton "2.72/17 working direction the position of top is2,213,336 7/ 1939 Clouse ..72/356 changed as a f ti f the Slack in theStock between the two ma hines an automatic wire as- 2,337,881 12/ 1943Games ..72/285 sembly at the fabricating machine side of the die3,290,916 12/1966 LOUIS et al. ..72/285 Selectively operable power meansf rendering the 2,728,447 12/1955 Ware ..72/285 grip assemblyinoperative to grip the Stock and/0t 2,797,799 7/ 1957 Ehlert ..72/285selectively operable power means to prevent return of 3,184,943 5/1965Ware ..72/285 the die and thus discontinue the advancing f the 3,273,3729/1966 Ehlert ..72/285 stock through the die 2,228,749 1/1941 Berkebil..72/291 3,260,086 7/1966 Prutton ..72/285 12 Claims, 4 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDsEP' 5 I972 SHEEI 1 BF 4 INVENTORS MEESEK LEO D.

EOBEET 6. SAC/(U5 ATTNEY PATENIEDsEP 51972 3.688.545

sum 3 BF 4 INVENTOR5 MEESEK 2 5 2 6, BAC/(US LE'O D.

. m an E u 2 mg 1 n v O s u f fllllL Q1 c PATENTEDSEP 5 m2 SHEET 0F a mn mm g INVENTORS LEO D. mezsaz 205527- e. mac/ 05 ATTOEE WIRE-WORKINGAPPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the working oflinear stock, such as, bar, rod and wire stock, herein sometimesreferred to as wire or wire stock, and more particularly to apparatusfor drawing linear stock for immediate utilization by a working machine,for example, a header or a cut-off machine, etc., or to the toolingthereof, located a short distance behind the drawing or sizingapparatus.

BACKGROUND At one time a predominant approach to wire drawing involvedthe use of so-called drum drawers by which stock was coiled about adriven drum and drawn by the drum through dies. Subsequently, in-linewire drawers in which dies were reciprocated along the stock found favorand were used almost exclusively on heading machines until recently whennew high speed header machines were introduced. At higher speeds,in-line wire drawers presented maintenance and noise problems becausethey incorporated substantial overtravel of the drawing arm beyond feedblank lengths, i.e., beyond die travel, and objectionable impact noiseand vibration resulted. As a consequence, many manufacturers returned tothe use of drum drawer machines, especially for the drawing of wire ofcertain sizes.

Drum drawer machines have the disadvantage of inducing a permanent setin the stock as the stock is tensioned about the drum and often mar thesurface of the drawn stock as pulling force is exerted. In contrast, anin-line wire drawer insures that straight wire will be fed into a headermachine or other consuming equipment. Also, more of the heat generatedduring drawing remains in the stock at the time is is headed becausethere is substantially less stock length between the drawer and theheader in the absence of the turns that extend around the drawing drum.

From the above it will be apparent that a substantial need exists for amachine that will draw and size wire or other stock at a relatively highrate and at the same time overcome the above and other disadvantages ofthe prior art. The present invention provides such a machine andincorporates other important advantageous features.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides a machine for drawing linearstock being supplied to and/or utilized by a second working machine,such as a fabricating machine. The machine comprises a reciprocable dieassembly moved along the stock in the drawing or sizing direction, thatis, in the stock working direction, by a member movable independently ofthe die assembly and having a predetermined stroke, a discrete motormeans for moving the member, an automatic stock grip assembly, a movablestop adapted for limiting movement of the die assembly in the return ornonworking direction, and control means including a member adapted toride on the stock at the exit end of the machine for moving the stop topermit return of the die a greater or lesser distance whereby the amountof stock worked during a drawing stroke of the die assembly is varied.The machine supplies the stock through a wide range of feed rates withlittle noise and vibration, is driven independently of the fabricatingmachine and is self-adjusting to provide an adequate supply of drawnstock based on the use of the stock by an associated fabricatingmachine. The machine may also include selectively operable power meansfor rendering the automatic grip assembly inoperative and/or means forholding the die assembly stationary at or adjacent to the position itoccupies at the termination of a working stroke. During operation, ifthe amount of drawn stock between the drawing machine and thefabricating machine increases or decreases beyond a predeterminedamount, determined by the position of the stock at a point beyond thedrawing machine, as sensed by the member that rides on the stock, therate at which the stock is drawn is decreased or increased to adjust thecondition by controlling the return of the die assembly in the aforesaidmanner. In this way the drawing machine assures a sufficient but notexcessive amount of drawn stock available to the fabricating orconsuming machine.

The construction provides a motor driven machine for working linearstock in which the length of the stroke of the die slide assembly isequal to or essentially equal to that of the member which abuts andmoves the die slide assembly through its working stroke or is onlyslightly less, thereby maintaining the noise, vibration, etc., incidentto the operation of the machine at a minimum and providing a relativelyquiet machine.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is plan view of a machine embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, with parts broken away and shown in section,of the machine as viewed from the bottom edge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, with portions broken away and insection, of a portion of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, with portions broken away and insection, of a portion of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine, designated generally bythe reference character A, which constitutes the preferred embodiment ofthe invention is designed particularly for drawing, i.e., sizing, linearstock, such as, wire B and supplying the worked wire directly to aworking machine such as a fabricating machine D to the tools of which itis advance or fed intermittedly. The fabricating machine, for example,may be a header, a fragmentary part of which is shown in phantom in FIG.1.

The machine A comprises a framel0 supported upon a base 12 and having adie slide assembly C comprising a die slide 14 supported at the top sideof the frame in suitable guide grooves 16, 18 at opposite sides of acentral vertical opening 20 in the frame 10. The die slide carries thewire drawing dies 22 and is spring-biased toward the left, as viewed inthe drawings, by a pair of springs 24, 26 surrounding each of a pair ofguide rods 30, 32 connected at their left ends to the die slide andprojecting to the right through suitable guide openings in a verticalframe 34 on the upper right part of the frame 10. The springs 24, 26 areconfined between the flange 34 on the frame 10 through which the rods30, 32 project and pairs of adjustable nuts 36 threaded on the rods 30,32.

The die slide assembly C is moved through its forward or working stroke,that is, towards the right as viewed in the drawings, by a drawing arm50 pivotally supported between its ends on a fulcrum pin 52 fixed in theframe 10. The upper end of the drawing arm 50 engages a die slidebumping plate at the left side of the die slide assembly C to move thedie slide through its forward or working stroke. The drawing arm isoscillated by a pitman 56 having one end connected by a pin 58 to thelower end of the drawing arm and its other end connected to anadjustable crank pin or eccentric on the near end of a shaft 62rotatably supported in the frame and driven by an electric motor 64mounted at the rear or far side of the machine on the base 12. The motor64 is connected to the shaft 62 by a belt drive 66, the driven member 68of which serves as a flywheel and is connected to the shaft 62 by anoverload friction connection designed to slip when subjected to apredetermined load. The crank pin to which the pitman 56 is connected isslidably supported in the near end of the shaft 62 and its eccentricitycan be adjusted by an adjusting screw 69 to vary the extent of movementof the upper end of the drawing arm.

As the upper end of the drawing arm 50 moves in its return or nonworkingstroke, that is, in a counterclockwise direction or toward the left, asviewed in the drawings, the die slide assembly C is retained in contacttherewith by the pairs of springs 24, 26. The wire being worked which issupplied from a reel, not shown, is drawn from the reel between a pairof grooved rollers 76 carried by a bracket 78 fixed to the projectingends of the guide rods 30, 32 by return movement of the die slideassembly by the engagement of the drawing or sizing dies with the wire.During the aforesaid movement of the die slide assembly and the wirestock, the worked wire is moved toward the left through wedge gripblocks or jaws 70, 72 movably supported in a frame member 74 of a gripassembly G connected to the top of the frame 10 adjacent the left-handend thereof. Upon initial movement of the die assembly C in its workingstroke, the wedge grip jaws of the grip assembly G close upon the wireand hold it stationary while the dies 22 are forced along the wire towork or size the same by the drawing arm 50. The construction andoperation of the machine thus far described is well known in the art andwill not herein be described in more detail.

As previously stated the machine A is designed to work linear stock asit is supplied or fed to a fabricating machine, that is, the stock isdirectly fed from the machine A to the fabricating machine. In order tosupply adequate stock to the fabricating machine, but not an excessamount thereof, the machine produces or supplies worked stock at a ratecomparable to that at which it is used in the fabricating machine. Themachine A is driven independently of the fabricating machine, and theextent of movement of the drawing arm 50 upon each oscillation thereofis adjusted by adjusting the eccentricity of the crank pin or eccentricon the shaft 62 to which the pitman 56 is connected. This adjustmentalone, however, has not been adequate to accomplish the desired resultsand a supplemental adjustment is provided. In the operation of thepresent machine the crank pin or eccentric connected to the pitman 56 isadjusted so that the machine works a slightly longer length of stockupon each working stroke of the die slide assembly than that necessaryto supply the right amount of stock to the fabricating machine and asecond adjustment is obtained by selectively limiting the returnmovement of the die slide assembly to an amount slightly less than thatrequired to supply the fabricating machine.

For limiting the return position of the die slide assembly an adjustablestop in the form of a headed member 80 is provided. The shank of thestop 80 is threaded into a member 82 slidably supported for movementlengthwise of the direction of movement of the die slide assembly in amember 84 bolted or otherwise fixed to the top of the frame 10 with thehead of the member 80 adapted to be engaged by an abutment or bumpingplate 86, preferably of nylon or some such material, affixed to theleft-hand side of the die slide assembly C. A jam nut 88 on the shank ofthe member 80 is provided for retaining the member in adjusted position.The member 82 and in turn the stop 80 are adapted to be selectivelylocated in either of two positions relative to its supporting member 84by a member 90 slidably supported for movement transversely of thedirection of movement of the die slide assembly in a groove or aperture92 in the member 84 and extending through a groove or aperture 94 in themember 82. The midsection of the member 90 extends through the groove oraperture 94 in the member 82 and is inclined with respect to thedirection of linear movement of the member to provide cam surfaces 96,98 on its opposite vertical sides. The adjoining sides of the groove 94in the member 82 are similarly inclined.

The construction is such that as the cam member 90 is reciprocated inthe member 84 transversely of the direction of movement of the wirestock through the machine, the slide or member 82 and in turn the stop80 are moved lengthwise of the direction of stock movement thusadjusting the position of the stop 80 in the path of return movement ofthe die slide assembly C. in the embodiment shown, the member 90 isadapted to be reciprocated between the two positions referred to by adouble-acting, reciprocating-type fluid pressure actuated motor 100,preferably air, the piston rod of which is connected to the near end ofthe member 90, as viewed in the drawings. The cylinder of the motor 100is connected to the near side of the member 84.

In operation, the crank pin or eccentric to which the pitman 56 isconnected is adjusted so as to permit return movement of the die slideassembly C a small distance greater than required for the drawing orsizing of sufficient stock to supply the fabricating machine and thestop 80 is adjusted in the slide 82 so that when the member 90 is in theposition shown in the drawings the stop prevents complete returnmovement of the die slide assembly, that is, the die slide assembly isnot allowed to return to the position to which it would return if itwere not for the stop 80. This amount is preferably about 2 percent ofthe working stroke of the machine so that at the completion of thereturn stroke of the drawing arm 50, there is only a small gap betweenthe drawing arm and he die slide assembly. Upon initiation of theworking stroke of the drawing arm the drawing arm almost immediatelyengages the die slide assembly resulting in a minimum amount of impactand noise.

When the member 90 is shifted to its second position, which is towardthe rear of the machine, the stop 80 is in position to permit the dieslide assembly to return as far as or essentially as far as the upperend of the drawing ann. With the stop 80 in the last-mentioned positionthe length of the working stroke of the machine is slightly greater thanthat required to supply the fabricating machine.

The actuation of the fluid pressure motor 100 to move the member 90 intoone or the other of its positions is controlled in the present instanceby a two-way solenoid-operated valve, the position of which iscontrolled by two electric switches 110, 112 mounted on a plate 114bolted to the left end of the frame of the machine. The actuation orposition of the switches 1 10, 112 is controlled by trip or actuationlevers 116, 118, respectively, adjustably connected to a shaft 120rotatably supported in a bracket 122 fixed to the plate 114. The shaft120 has a lever arm 124 keyed thereto, the free end of which carries agrooved roller 126 adapted to ride on the wire loop between the workingand fabricating machine. A second roller 130, positioned closer to theframe 10 of the machine than the roller 126, is rotatably supported atan elevation above the roller 126 on a bracket 132 also fixed to theplate 114. As the wire stock B exits from the drawing or sizing machineit passes over the top of the grooved roller 130 and underneath thegrooved roller 126 on its way to the fabricating machine. Theconstruction is such that as the loop of wire stock between the drawingor sizing machine and the fabricating machine shortens, the arm 124pivots in a clockwise direction causing the lever 118 to clear theswitch 112 and the lever 116 to actuate the switch 110 when the loopreaches a predetermined elevated position to shift the member 90 fromthe position shown in the drawings to its rear position thus moving thestop 80 toward the exit end of the machine and allowing a longer lengthof wire to be worked upon each working stroke of the die slide assembly.Since the length of stock worked with the member 90 in its rear positionis slightly greater than that required to supply the fabricatingmachine, the loop of wire between the drawing or sizing machine and thefabricating machine gradually lengthens allowing the arm 124 to rotatein a counter-clockwise direction until the lever 118 actuates the switch112 to return the member 91) to its forward position.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings andheretofore described, the stop 80 is moved periodically between twopositions. It is to be understood, however, that the present inventioncontemplates a continuous adjustment of the stop as a function of thesize of the stock or wire loop between the drawing or sizing machine andthe fabricating machine. This could be readily accomplished eithermechanically or electrically be presently available means, but at asomewhat greater cost.

The machine A includes means for maintaining the wedge grip members orblocks 70, 72 of the grip assembly G open to thereby prevent the advanceof stock through the machine while the die slide assembly is operated.This is useful in setting up the machine and at other times as will beunderstood to those working in the art to which the invention relates.For the above mentioned purpose the right-hand side of the rectangularframe member 74 of the grip assembly G is provided with a wire guidebushing slidably supported in a suitable aperture therein and adapted toproject a short distance from the frame member and surround a shortlength of wire extending between the die slide assembly and the wedgegrip members. The wedge grip members 70, 72 are normally spring-biasedtoward the right, that is, in the direction to grip the wire guidemember 142 threaded into a tapped aperture in the left or downstreamside of the frame 74 of the grip assembly G. The wire guide 140 and thegrip members 70, 72 are adapted to be moved selectively toward the left,as viewed in the drawing, against the bias of the spring 144, tomaintain the grip members 70, 72 in wire release position by a walkingbeam-type lever 146 pivotally supported by a bracket 148 bolted to theframe 10 of the machine. The upper end of the lever 146 is split toproduce a pair of tines 150 adapted to engage the right-hand end of theguide member 140 at opposite sides of wire passing through the machine.The lever 146 is adapted to be rotated in a counterclockwise directionas viewed in the drawings to move the guide bushing 140 and in turn thegrip members 70, 72 to the left by a fluid pressure actuatedreciprocatingtype motor 152, preferably an air motor, connected to aplate 154 secured to the frame of the machine 10 by the same bolts whichsecure the bracket 148 thereto. The piston rod of the motor 152 engagesan abutment or bumping surface on the lower end of the lever 146. Theflow of fluid pressure for actuation the motor 152 is preferablycontrolled by a solenoid-operated twoway valve under the control ofelectric switch means accessible to the operator.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that if the operator wishes tooperate the machine without stock being advanced therethrough it ismerely necessary for him to actuate the proper electric switch forcontrolling the flow of fluid pressure to and from the motor 152.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of means forselectively retaining the die slide assembly C at or near the extremeright-hand end of its path of movement, that is, in the position orapproximate position which it occupies at the end of its working stroke.This is accomplished by the provision of a double acting,reciprocating-type fluid pressure actuated motor 1641 supported in ahorizontal position within the frame 10 of the machine below the path oftravel of the die slide assembly C. The piston rod 162 of the motor isconnected by a coupling 164 to the shank of a headed member 172 thatextends through a suitable aperture in a cross member 168 attached tothe die slide assembly of the machine and through a second largeraperture in a downwardly extending projection 170 of the die slideassembly. During operation of the machine the projection 170 of the dieslide assembly and the cross member 168, through which the shank of themember 162 extends reciprocates along the member between the head 172and the coupling 164 to the frame of the machine. If it is desired toretain the die slide assembly C in the position previously mentioned ator adjacent to the end of its working stroke, the fluid pressure motoris actuated to withdraw the piston rod 162 so that the head 172 engagesthe member 168 and draws the die slide assembly toward the right asviewed in the drawings and holds it there as long as the piston of themotor 160 is maintained in the right-hand end of the cylinder thereof.The motor 164 preferably an air motor and the supply and flow of airunder pressure thereto is preferably controlled by a solenoid-operatedvalve actuated by a suitable electric switch or switches accessible tothe operator.

As an alternative construction, it is contemplated that the returnmovement of the die slide assembly C can be positively accomplished bythe return movement of the lever 50 rather than by the springs 24 26, byproviding a surface connected to the die assembly and located behind theupper part of the lever 50, to be engaged during the return stroke ofthe lever. A lost motion connection between the lever and the ieverdrive permits the movement of the slide assembly to be limited by thestop member 84 on the return stroke. Such a positive return drive issomewhat safer than a spring return because it eliminates thepossibility of the slide assembly being unexpectedly moved from theright hand side of the machine to the left, in the orientation shown, inthe event of a power failure. This portion of the assembly could alsoincorporate a feed slide similar to the grip assembly G but operating inthe opposite direction, to positively grip and move the stock toward theleft side of the machine as shown in the drawings during the returnstroke of the lever 50, but sliding relative to the stock during theworking stroke as it moves with the die slide to the right. This latterfeature would assure the feeding of stock without depending solely onthe frictional grip of the drawing dies. A die slide assembly havingthese features is known per se and is shown in [1.8. Pat. No. 2,337,88l.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim 1. In apparatus fordrawing linear stock as it is being supplied to a working machine spacedtherefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adapted to carry a stock drawingdie supported on said frame for reciprocable movement through workingand return strokes, a member movably connected with said frame andhaving a surface abuttable against said die slide for moving said dieslide through its working stroke, means for moving said member inopposite directions, means for adjusting the distance through which saidmember is moved, an automatic stock grip assembly on said frame spacedfrom the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock beingdrawn upon movement of the die slide in its working stroke and releasethe stock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movablestop means connected with said frame for limiting movement of said dieslide in the direction of its return stroke, and means including amember engageable with the stock beyond the exit end of said stock gripassembly for moving said stop means.

2. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through working and return strokes, a member movably connectedwith said frame and having a surface abuttable against said die slidefor moving said die slide through its working stroke, means for movingsaid member a predetermined distance in opposite directions, meansbiasing said die slide in the direction to engage said surface on saidmember, an automatic stock grip assembly on said frame spaced from thestock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawn uponmovement of the die slide in its working stroke and release the stockupon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movable stop meansconnected with said frame for limiting movement of said die slide in thedirecyion of its return stroke, and means including a member engageablewith the stock beyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly formoving said stop means.

3. in apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through working and return strokes, a lever pivotally connectedto said frame and having a surface spaced from its pivotal connectionwith the frame abuttable against said die slide, means for moving saidlever through forward and return strokes of predetermined length, anautomatic grip assembly on said frame spaced from the stock exit side ofsaid die slide adapted to grip stock being drawn upon movement of thedie slide in its working stroke and release the stock upon movement ofthe die slide in its return stroke, movable stop means connected withsaid frame for limiting movement of said die slide in the direction ofits return stroke, and means including a member engageable with thestock beyond the exit end of said stock grip assembiy for moving saidstop means.

4. ln apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through forward and return strokes, a lever pivotally connectedto said frame and having a surface spaced from its pivotal connectionwith the frame abuttable against said die slide, an electric motor formoving said lever through forward and return strokes of predeterminedlength, means for adjusting the length of said strokes of said lever,means biasing said die slide in the direction to engage said surface onsaid lever, an automatic stock grip assembly on said frame spaced fromthe stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawnupon movement of the die slide in its forward stroke and release thestock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movable stopmeans adapted to limit movement of said die slide in the direction ofits return stroke, and means including a member engageable with thestock beyond the exit end of said automatic grip assembly for movingsaid stop means.

5. ln apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being suppiied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through forward and return strokes, a member movably connectedwith said frame and having a surface abuttable against said die slide,an electric motor for moving said member through forward and returnstrokes of predetermined length, means for adjusting the length of saidstrokes of said member, an automatic stock grip assembly on said framespaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stockbeing drawn upon movement of the die slide in its forward stroke andrelease the stock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke,movable stop means adapted to limit movement of said die slide in thedirection of its return stroke, means including a member engageable withthe stock beyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly for movingsaid stop means, and manually-controlled power means for selectivelyrendering said stock grip assembly inoperative to grip the stock.

6. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through forward and return strokes, a member movably connectedwith said frame and having a surface abuttable against said die slide,an electric motor for moving said member through forward and returnstrokes of predetermined length, means for adjusting the length of saidstrokes of said member, an automatic stock grip assembly on said framespaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stockbeing drawn upon movement of the die slide in its forward stroke andrelease the stock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke,movable stop means adapted to limit movement of said die slide in thedirection of its return stroke, means including a member engageable withthe stock beyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly for movingsaid stop means, and manually-controlled power means for selectivelyretaining said die slide in a position at or adjacent to the end of itsforward stroke.

7. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through forward and return strokes, a lever pivotally connectedto said frame and having a surface spaced from its pivotal connectionwith the frame abuttable against said die slide, an electric motor formoving said lever through forward and return strokes of predeterminedlength, means for adjusting the length of said strokes of said lever,means biasing said die slide in the direction to engage said surface onsaid lever, an automatic stock grip assembly on said frame spaced fromthe stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawnupon movement of the die slide in its forward stroke and release thestock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movable stopmeans adapted to limit movement of said die slide in the direction ofits return stroke, means including a member engageable with the stockbeyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly for moving said stopmeans, and manually-controlled power means for selectively renderingsaid stock grip assembly inoperative to grip the stock.

8. In apparatus for drawing linear stock is it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through forward and return strokes, a lever pivotally connectedto said frame and having a surface spaced from its pivotal connectionwith the frame abuttable against said die slide, an electric motor formoving said lever through forward and return strokes of predeterminedlengths, means for adjusting the length of said strokes of said lever,means biasing said die slide in the direction to engage said surface onsaid spaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to gripstock being drawn upon movement of the die slide in its forward strokeand release the stock upon movement of the die slide in its returnstroke, movable stop means adapted to limit movement of said die slidein the direction of its return stroke, means including a memberengageable with the stock beyond the exit end of said stock gripassembly for moving said stop means, and manually-controlled power meansfor selectively retaining said die slide in a position at or adjacent tothe end of its forward stroke.

9. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocalmovement through forward and return strokes, a lever pivotally connectedto said frame and having a surface spaced from its pivotal connectionwith the frame abuttable against said die slide, an electric motor formoving said lever through forward and return strokes of predeterminedlength, means for adjusting the length of said strokes of said lever,means biasing said die slide in the direction to engage said surface onsaid lever, an automatic stock grip assembly on said frame spaced fromthe stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawnupon movement of the die slide in its forward stroke and release thestock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movable stopmeans adapted to limit movement of said die slide in the direction ofits return stroke, means including a member engageable with the stockbeyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly for moving said stopmeans, manually-controlled power means for selectively rendering saidstock grip assembly inoperative to grip the stock, andmanually-controlled power means for selectively maintaining said dieslide in a position at or adjacent to the end of tis forward stroke.

10. In apparatus for drawing and sizing linear stock as it is beingsupplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, stockfeeding and drawing means, including a die, supported by said frame forreciprocable movement to feed stock through said apparatus and to drawthe stock, power means independent from said working machine toreciprocate said stock feeding and drawing means, control meansselectively operable to vary the magnitude of reciprocable movement ofsaid stock feeding and drawing means, sensing means to sense theposition of stock fed from said apparatus, and means responsive to saidsensing means for operating said control means to vary the magnitude ofreciprocable movement of said stock feeding and drawing means inresponse to a predetermined change in position of the stock fed fromsaid apparatus.

11. In apparatus for drawing and sizing linear stock as it is beingsupplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, stockfeeding and drawing means, including a die, supported by said frame forreciprocable movement to feed stock through said apparatus duringmovement in one direction and to draw the stock during movement in anopposite direction, power means to reciprocate said stock feeding anddrawing means including means permitting lost motion between the powermeans and said stock feeding and drawing means, and selectively movablestop means carried by said frame to engage said stock feeding anddrawing means in a selected position to limit the extent of reciprocablemovement of the stock feeding and drawing means in the stock feedingdirection independently of the power means.

12. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocablemovement through working and return strokes, a member movably connectedwith said frame and having a surface abuttable against said die slidefor moving said die slide through its working stroke, means for movingsaid member in opposite directions, means for adjusting the distancethrough which said member is moved, a stock grip assembly on said framespaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stockbeing drawn during movement of the die slide in its working stroke andrelease the stock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke,selectively movable stop means connected with said frame for limiting inone position movement of said die slide in the direction of its returnstroke, means to move said stop means, and sensing means responsive tothe stock beyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly forcontrolling movement of said stop means.

1. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to aworking machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adaptedto caRry a stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocablemovement through working and return strokes, a member movably connectedwith said frame and having a surface abuttable against said die slidefor moving said die slide through its working stroke, means for movingsaid member in opposite directions, means for adjusting the distancethrough which said member is moved, an automatic stock grip assembly onsaid frame spaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted togrip stock being drawn upon movement of the die slide in its workingstroke and release the stock upon movement of the die slide in itsreturn stroke, movable stop means connected with said frame for limitingmovement of said die slide in the direction of its return stroke, andmeans including a member engageable with the stock beyond the exit endof said stock grip assembly for moving said stop means.
 2. In apparatusfor drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to a working machinespaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adapted to carry a stockdrawing die supported on said frame for reciprocal movement throughworking and return strokes, a member movably connected with said frameand having a surface abuttable against said die slide for moving saiddie slide through its working stroke, means for moving said member apredetermined distance in opposite directions, means biasing said dieslide in the direction to engage said surface on said member, anautomatic stock grip assembly on said frame spaced from the stock exitside of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawn upon movementof the die slide in its working stroke and release the stock uponmovement of the die slide in its return stroke, movable stop meansconnected with said frame for limiting movement of said die slide in thedirecyion of its return stroke, and means including a member engageablewith the stock beyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly formoving said stop means.
 3. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as itis being supplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, a machineframe, a die slide adapted to carry a stock drawing die supported onsaid frame for reciprocal movement through working and return strokes, alever pivotally connected to said frame and having a surface spaced fromits pivotal connection with the frame abuttable against said die slide,means for moving said lever through forward and return strokes ofpredetermined length, an automatic grip assembly on said frame spacedfrom the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock beingdrawn upon movement of the die slide in its working stroke and releasethe stock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movablestop means connected with said frame for limiting movement of said dieslide in the direction of its return stroke, and means including amember engageable with the stock beyond the exit end of said stock gripassembly for moving said stop means.
 4. In apparatus for drawing linearstock as it is being supplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, amachine frame, a die slide adapted to carry a stock drawing diesupported on said frame for reciprocal movement through forward andreturn strokes, a lever pivotally connected to said frame and having asurface spaced from its pivotal connection with the frame abuttableagainst said die slide, an electric motor for moving said lever throughforward and return strokes of predetermined length, means for adjustingthe length of said strokes of said lever, means biasing said die slidein the direction to engage said surface on said lever, an automaticstock grip assembly on said frame spaced from the stock exit side ofsaid die slide adapted to grip stock being drawn upon movement of thedie slide in its forward stroke and release the stock upon movement ofthe die slide in its return stroke, movable stop means adapted to limitmovement of said die slide in the direction of its return stroke, andmeans including a member engageable with the stock bEyond the exit endof said automatic grip assembly for moving said stop means.
 5. Inapparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to a workingmachine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adapted to carrya stock drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocal movementthrough forward and return strokes, a member movably connected with saidframe and having a surface abuttable against said die slide, an electricmotor for moving said member through forward and return strokes ofpredetermined length, means for adjusting the length of said strokes ofsaid member, an automatic stock grip assembly on said frame spaced fromthe stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawnupon movement of the die slide in its forward stroke and release thestock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movable stopmeans adapted to limit movement of said die slide in the direction ofits return stroke, means including a member engageable with the stockbeyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly for moving said stopmeans, and manually-controlled power means for selectively renderingsaid stock grip assembly inoperative to grip the stock.
 6. In apparatusfor drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to a working machinespaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adapted to carry a stockdrawing die supported on said frame for reciprocal movement throughforward and return strokes, a member movably connected with said frameand having a surface abuttable against said die slide, an electric motorfor moving said member through forward and return strokes ofpredetermined length, means for adjusting the length of said strokes ofsaid member, an automatic stock grip assembly on said frame spaced fromthe stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawnupon movement of the die slide in its forward stroke and release thestock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, movable stopmeans adapted to limit movement of said die slide in the direction ofits return stroke, means including a member engageable with the stockbeyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly for moving said stopmeans, and manually-controlled power means for selectively retainingsaid die slide in a position at or adjacent to the end of its forwardstroke.
 7. In apparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being suppliedto a working machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slideadapted to carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame forreciprocal movement through forward and return strokes, a leverpivotally connected to said frame and having a surface spaced from itspivotal connection with the frame abuttable against said die slide, anelectric motor for moving said lever through forward and return strokesof predetermined length, means for adjusting the length of said strokesof said lever, means biasing said die slide in the direction to engagesaid surface on said lever, an automatic stock grip assembly on saidframe spaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to gripstock being drawn upon movement of the die slide in its forward strokeand release the stock upon movement of the die slide in its returnstroke, movable stop means adapted to limit movement of said die slidein the direction of its return stroke, means including a memberengageable with the stock beyond the exit end of said stock gripassembly for moving said stop means, and manually-controlled power meansfor selectively rendering said stock grip assembly inoperative to gripthe stock.
 8. In apparatus for drawing linear stock is it is beingsupplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a dieslide adapted to carry a stock drawing die supported on said frame forreciprocal movement through forward and return strokes, a leverpivotally connected to said frame and having a surface spaced from itspivotal connection with the frame abuttable against said die slide, anelectric motor for moving said leveR through forward and return strokesof predetermined lengths, means for adjusting the length of said strokesof said lever, means biasing said die slide in the direction to engagesaid surface on said lever, an automatic stock grip assembly on saidframe spaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted to gripstock being drawn upon movement of the die slide in its forward strokeand release the stock upon movement of the die slide in its returnstroke, movable stop means adapted to limit movement of said die slidein the direction of its return stroke, means including a memberengageable with the stock beyond the exit end of said stock gripassembly for moving said stop means, and manually-controlled power meansfor selectively retaining said die slide in a position at or adjacent tothe end of its forward stroke.
 9. In apparatus for drawing linear stockas it is being supplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, a machineframe, a die slide adapted to carry a stock drawing die supported onsaid frame for reciprocal movement through forward and return strokes, alever pivotally connected to said frame and having a surface spaced fromits pivotal connection with the frame abuttable against said die slide,an electric motor for moving said lever through forward and returnstrokes of predetermined length, means for adjusting the length of saidstrokes of said lever, means biasing said die slide in the direction toengage said surface on said lever, an automatic stock grip assembly onsaid frame spaced from the stock exit side of said die slide adapted togrip stock being drawn upon movement of the die slide in its forwardstroke and release the stock upon movement of the die slide in itsreturn stroke, movable stop means adapted to limit movement of said dieslide in the direction of its return stroke, means including a memberengageable with the stock beyond the exit end of said stock gripassembly for moving said stop means, manually-controlled power means forselectively rendering said stock grip assembly inoperative to grip thestock, and manually-controlled power means for selectively maintainingsaid die slide in a position at or adjacent to the end of tis forwardstroke.
 10. In apparatus for drawing and sizing linear stock as it isbeing supplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, a machine frame,stock feeding and drawing means, including a die, supported by saidframe for reciprocable movement to feed stock through said apparatus andto draw the stock, power means independent from said working machine toreciprocate said stock feeding and drawing means, control meansselectively operable to vary the magnitude of reciprocable movement ofsaid stock feeding and drawing means, sensing means to sense theposition of stock fed from said apparatus, and means responsive to saidsensing means for operating said control means to vary the magnitude ofreciprocable movement of said stock feeding and drawing means inresponse to a predetermined change in position of the stock fed fromsaid apparatus.
 11. In apparatus for drawing and sizing linear stock asit is being supplied to a working machine spaced therefrom, a machineframe, stock feeding and drawing means, including a die, supported bysaid frame for reciprocable movement to feed stock through saidapparatus during movement in one direction and to draw the stock duringmovement in an opposite direction, power means to reciprocate said stockfeeding and drawing means including means permitting lost motion betweenthe power means and said stock feeding and drawing means, andselectively movable stop means carried by said frame to engage saidstock feeding and drawing means in a selected position to limit theextent of reciprocable movement of the stock feeding and drawing meansin the stock feeding direction independently of the power means.
 12. Inapparatus for drawing linear stock as it is being supplied to a workingmachine spaced therefrom, a machine frame, a die slide adapted to carrya stocK drawing die supported on said frame for reciprocable movementthrough working and return strokes, a member movably connected with saidframe and having a surface abuttable against said die slide for movingsaid die slide through its working stroke, means for moving said memberin opposite directions, means for adjusting the distance through whichsaid member is moved, a stock grip assembly on said frame spaced fromthe stock exit side of said die slide adapted to grip stock being drawnduring movement of the die slide in its working stroke and release thestock upon movement of the die slide in its return stroke, selectivelymovable stop means connected with said frame for limiting in oneposition movement of said die slide in the direction of its returnstroke, means to move said stop means, and sensing means responsive tothe stock beyond the exit end of said stock grip assembly forcontrolling movement of said stop means.